BCD396T/BC996T: Are firmware updates still available for the BCD396T?

[kc5igh]

Greetings:

Does anyone know if firmware updates are still available for the Uniden BCD396T?

I've downloaded the "BCD396T_UASD_v1.4.1.1.exe" to obtain an electronic serial number and the "checksum." After that, I received a Uniden "key," but that's as far as I've been able to go. The latest firmware version is 3.02.02, but it doesn't show up on the Uniden site where I registered my BCD396T. The Uniden site gives an alternative link to the latest firmware version and a "firmware update tool," but after I've downloaded those zipped files, I can't extract them.

I'm guessing my scanner is no longer supported by Uniden, but I'd like to have that supposition confirmed, if possible.

Thanks in advance.

-Johnnie (KC5IGH)

 

[doctordialtone]

Firmware Updates

 

[dave3825]

3.02.02 was the last. If your scanner is less than that, then yes.

https://info.uniden.com/twiki/bin/view/UnidenMan4/BCD396TFirmwareUpdate

 

[kc5igh]

3.02.02 was the last. If your scanner is less than that, then yes.

https://info.uniden.com/twiki/bin/view/UnidenMan4/BCD396TFirmware

Thanks, dave3825, but those are the very instructions I've been following without success.

I simply can't extract the files in the links UnidenMan provided in those instructions. I'm using an HP laptop with Windows 11 and there appears to be a compatibility issue. I'm not a PC "power user," and I'm not sure where to even look for a tool that will perform the extraction.

Thanks again.

 

[tvengr]

What is your current firmware version? If I remember correctly, the 396T required a key for each of 2 major firmware updates. I have the .scn firmware file for v3.02.02 if you need it.

 

[kc5igh]

What is your current firmware version? If I remember correctly, the 396T required a key for each of 2 major firmware updates. I have the .scn firmware file for v3.02.02 if you need it.

Hello, tvengr.

My current firmware version is v1.20.13. That's the version I installed per UpMan's instruction in order to generate an electronic serial number and "checksum."

Before that, I hadn't done any updates at all, and the scanner had its original firmware in place, which if I remember correctly, was something like v1.11.03.

Paul's instructions are very clear about how to do all this, and I'm pretty sure I've followed them exactly as written.

If it's convenient for you, please send me the .scn firmware file for v3.02.02. The problem I'm having now is that I can't find a way to download and extract BCD396T_V3_02_02.zip or the BC_VUP_v2.0.0.7.zip firmware update tool.

I don't mean to put you through a lot of trouble . . . I was in a sentimental mood about some of my older scanners, all of which work pretty well, and I thought it would be fun to update the 396T. My 396XT is updated with the latest firmware version, and I've used ARCXT to update its programming. I'm just being stubborn about reviving and updating a 19-year-old scanner.

I'm beginning to think those updates just aren't available at Uniden anymore.

Thanks!

-Johnnie (KC5IGH)

 

[fxdscon]

The problem I'm having now is that I can't find a way to download and extract BCD396T_V3_02_02.zip or the BC_VUP_v2.0.0.7.zip firmware update tool.

Try downloading and extracting those files again, I just downloaded and extracted both without any issues. Check the download location in your computer, locate those files, right click on them and click "properties" to see if those files are tagged as blocked by your system. if so, check the box to unblock them.

 

[dave3825]

The problem I'm having now is that I can't find a way to download and extract BCD396T_V3_02_02.zip or the BC_VUP_v2.0.0.7.zip firmware update tool.

Downloaded files usually go in the downloads folder on your PC.

Windows does have a built in utility for extracting compressed/zipped files. After you download and locate the file, right click on it and choose "Extract All"


Alternatively, you could download and install 7-Zip and use that to unzip the files but you would need to know if your version on Windows 11 is 32 or 64 bit.

Find operating system info in Windows 11

1. Select Start > Settings > System > About . Open About settings.
2. Under Device specifications > System type, see if you're running a 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows.
3. Under Windows specifications, check which edition and version of Windows your device is running.

Download 7-Zip 24.06 (2024-05-26) for Windows x64 (64-bit):

Link​	Type​	Windows​	Size​
Download​	.exe​	64-bit x64​	1.6 MB​

Download 7-Zip 24.06 for another Windows platforms (32-bit x86 or ARM64):

Link​	Type​	Windows​	Size​
Download​	.exe​	32-bit x86​	1.3 MB​

 

[kc5igh]

Try downloading and extracting those files again, I just downloaded and extracted both without any issues. Check the download location in your computer, locate those files, right click on them and click "properties" to see if those files are tagged as blocked by your system. if so, check the box to unblock them.

View attachment 163017

Thanks, fxdscon . . . I'll check that when I get a chance.

 

[kc5igh]

Downloaded files usually go in the downloads folder on your PC.

Windows does have a built in utility for extracting compressed/zipped files. After you download and locate the file, right click on it and choose "Extract All"


Alternatively, you could download and install 7-Zip and use that to unzip the files but you would need to know if your version on Windows 11 is 32 or 64 bit.

Find operating system info in Windows 11

1. Select Start > Settings > System > About . Open About settings.
2. Under Device specifications > System type, see if you're running a 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows.
3. Under Windows specifications, check which edition and version of Windows your device is running.

Download 7-Zip 24.06 (2024-05-26) for Windows x64 (64-bit):

Link​	Type​	Windows​	Size​
Download​	.exe​	64-bit x64​	1.6 MB​

Download 7-Zip 24.06 for another Windows platforms (32-bit x86 or ARM64):

Link​	Type​	Windows​	Size​
Download​	.exe​	32-bit x86​	1.3 MB​

Thanks, dave3825 . . . as far as I know, I've got the 64-bit version, and I'll check all this when I get a chance.

In the meantime, I've downloaded the ARC396 software and reprogrammed most of the ancient information I had in that radio.

 

[tvengr]

If it's convenient for you, please send me the .scn firmware file for v3.02.02. The problem I'm having now is that I can't find a way to download and extract BCD396T_V3_02_02.zip or the BC_VUP_v2.0.0.7.zip firmware update tool.

The firmware updater file is too large to attach. Here is the v3.02.02 .scn firmware file. Same the attached zipped file to your computer. Right click on the zipped file and click on Extract All. I have ARC396 also. If you have any problems with your programming, please attach your file and I will take a look at it. You will need to zip the file to be able to attach it. Right click on the file and click on Compress to ZIP file. Click on Attach files and open the zipped file.

 

[kc5igh]

The firmware updater file is too large to attach. Here is the v3.02.02 .scn firmware file. Same the attached zipped file to your computer. Right click on the zipped file and click on Extract All. I have ARC396 also. If you have any problems with your programming, please attach your file and I will take a look at it. You will need to zip the file to be able to attach it. Right click on the file and click on Compress to ZIP file. Click on Attach files and open the zipped file.

Thanks for all your help, tvenger. I've decided to back away from this little project and try again later.

I downloaded the 64-bit version of 7-Zip, and that didn't either.

I'm guessing it's pilot error on my part if you and others have been able to open and extract that file.

I'll try again, once my mind has had a chance to clear, and I've studied a little more about downloading files like this.

-Johnnie (KC5IGH)

 

[kc5igh]

The firmware updater file is too large to attach. Here is the v3.02.02 .scn firmware file. Same the attached zipped file to your computer. Right click on the zipped file and click on Extract All. I have ARC396 also. If you have any problems with your programming, please attach your file and I will take a look at it. You will need to zip the file to be able to attach it. Right click on the file and click on Compress to ZIP file. Click on Attach files and open the zipped file.

It's me again, tvenger . . .

I just tried again to download and extract the v3.02.02.scn firmware file you sent.

The file downloaded just fine (as it has in the past), but when I try to extract it with the 64-bit version of 7-Zip, I get a message that says, "ERROR: Unsupported command:" followed by the file location on my C drive.

I don't know if the problem is with my 7-Zip extraction tool or something else. I'm going to search the internet to see if there's a better extraction tool for .scn files.

Thanks.

 

[tvengr]

You don't need 7-Zip. Just right click on the zipped file and then click on Extract All. Here is a link to the firmware updater: BC_VUP_v2.0.0.7.zip. Unzip it using the same method.

 

[kc5igh]

You don'_t need 7-Zip. Just right click on the zipped file and then click on Extract All. Here is a link to the firmware updater: BC_VUP_v2.0.0.7.zip. Unzip it using the same method.

1. As best I can tell, I've successfully unizipped and installed (again) the firmware updater (BC_VUP-v2.0.0.7.zip). The update tool shortcut is on my desktop, but when I open it, I'm asked to "Press 'OK' and select the Scanner firmware file (*.scn)." When I do that, the v3.02.02.scn file is nowhere to be seen.

2. I've also downloaded the v3.02.02.scn file, but when I try to open it, my computer asks me to "Select an app to open this .scn file." Suggested apps in that message include Adobe Acrobat, Firefox, Notepad, Windows Media Player Legacy, and Word. I'm also invited to "Browse apps in the Microsoft Store," or "Choose an app on your pc." I've tried several of those, and none seem to work.

3. For what it's worth, I registered my 396T on the MyUniden product registration page and received a "key" for the update when I downloaded the 1.20.13 update to get an ESN and the "Checksum" number. Paul's instructions for all this indicate that I should see a message next to the 396T on the "All My Scanners" page telling me to click on "Get v3.xx.xx Firmware." The numerical "key" is there, but there is no option to click on "Get v3.xx.xx Firmware." Paul's instructions go on to indicate that "alternatively" I can download the v3.02.02 update and the v2.0.0.7 update tool, which I've done several times now. If I remember correctly, when I've opened that firmware updater in the past, a list of available firmware updates would appear, and I could select the one I wanted to install. That's not happening now. At this point, I don't know if that's the hangup or not, which is why I wonder if Uniden still supports the update process through its MyUniden resource.

4. This is a summary of where I've been stuck for quite some time now.

Thanks for your help and patience, tvenger.

 

[kc5igh]

You don't need 7-Zip. Just right click on the zipped file and then click on Extract All. Here is a link to the firmware updater: BC_VUP_v2.0.0.7.zip. Unzip it using the same method.

UPDATE!

I've just successfully updated the firmware in my ancient BCD396T to v3.02.02!

1. I decided to try an alternate path by pasting the v3.02.02 file to my desktop so I could find it more easily.

2. The VUP firmware updater found the v3.02.02 file, and I followed the instructions to install it . . . yay!

3. I think some of the problems I encountered were due to the age of my scanner (2005) and the likelihood that Uniden probably no longer supports it to the extent it once did. My inability to open the new firmware file was due to the fact that I'd forgotten that the firmware updater was the only "app" that could do so . . . in other words, "Pilot Error."

Thanks again for all your help, and especially for your patience, tvenger!

 

[tvengr]

Glad to hear of your success. Years ago, I had to update a stack of 396T's at a firehouse in my area. I still have one myself. At the time, it was state of the art. Unfortunately, it supports only a single site per system. The BCD996T, the mobile version, supports multiple sites. I have one of them also. Come to think of it, my house could be classified as a scanner museum. I grew up using the Butel ARC software for all of my scanners. I have ARC396. Please let me know if you need any help with programming.

 

[kc5igh]

Glad to hear of your success. Years ago, I had to update a stack of 396T's at a firehouse in my area. I still have one myself. At the time, it was state of the art. Unfortunately, it supports only a single site per system. The BCD996T, the mobile version, supports multiple sites. I have one of them also. Come to think of it, my house could be classified as a scanner museum. I grew up using the Butel ARC software for all of my scanners. I have ARC396. Please let me know if you need any help with programming.

Thanks again, tvenger.

One strange thing I've noticed is a decrease in P25 sensitivity with the latest firmware.

I took a look at the "what's changed" notes for each of the BCD396T's updates, and I didn't see anything that would have impacted P25 sensitivity, but it's definitely there. Interestingly, all the analog signals seem to be coming in just as strong as ever, including the weather service frequencies.

Oh well . . . it's not much of a problem. I have my BCD396XT, BCD325P2, BCD436HP, Whistler TRX-1, and SDS100's to rely on, but the sensitivity drop does bother me a little.

If you have any thoughts or experience with this issue, please let me know. Otherwise, thanks again for all your help.

-Johnnie (KC5IGH)

 

[tvengr]

There are 2 hidden P25 settings in the scanner menu. Press and hold the HOLD button while turning on the scanner. Under Settings, you will see the addition of P25 Mode and P25 Level. Leave P25 Level at 50. It seems to work best there. With early firmware, I had to run P25 Level up to its max value of 200 to receive P25 systems. Adjust P25 Mode for best P25 receive. Run through all of the values to see which one works best.

 

[tvengr]

In ARC396, you have other settings for P25. Click on the system. Under the General tab, you can try setting the Apco25 Threshold setting to Manual and run through the values for best P25 decode. Default value is 8. Range is 0 thru 20. Make sure you read my previous post #19.